HERE IS A REALLY GOOD REFORM IDEA (FULL ELECTRONIC DISCLOSURE OF CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES) THAT GOT SHORT SHIFT BY OUR TENNESSEE LEGISLATURE

I proposed to Representative Brian Kelsey and Senator Paul Stanley that the election commissions in counties, with larger populations (e.g. Shelby, Knox, Hamilton and Davidson), be required to furnish their political contribution and expenditure reports in the same electronic format that state candidates adhere to. Actually it is easier to do so when compared to the current system of paper records. Moreover it certainly makes it easier to find out who contributes to whom and how the money is spent. Sound like a good idea? Of course it is except for one thing. THE LOCAL POLS DON'T WANT YOU TO KNOW WHO IS CONTRIBUTING TO WHOM AND HOW MUCH. Therefore, despite good faith efforts to get it passed, HB2929 died.

These contributions are legal but they buy influence which can possibly lead to illegal activities as we have seen from recent convictions and pending trials. Making it easy to see who is contributing and to whom is a good idea to support honest government.

Here is a recap of the proposed bill that failed.

Campaigns and Campaign Finance - Requires candidates for local public office and political campaign committees in local elections in any county having a population in excess of 250,000 to file contribution and expense statements with the registry of election finance instead of with the local election commission. - Amends TCA Title 2.

To give you an example of the benefits of the state system, I have attached pdf files that came from the state excel spreadsheets on BELZ contributions for just one year to the parties listed and contributions to Ophelia Ford for just one year. The Belz's gave $148,257.97. In a separate report, Ophelia Ford got $59,686.88. Also a really big factor is the contributions of PACs (Political Action Committees). I have attached a list of over $5 million dollars in Tennessee for just one year of contributions that came from the state list.

Locally if you want similar information on Herenton or any other local politician you have to go to the election commission and pay 25 cents per sheet for these reports which in most cases started out as an excel spreadsheet. For instance, I have attached a Herenton file which I paid for and then converted to a pdf file showing that he got $185,000. Also I have attached a file on Ricky Peete showing contributions and contributors over a period of time compiled by a group of citizens from the difficult Shelby County Election Commission records. Total of $235,810. Does this more difficult process make sense? Of course it does, because the contributors and the receipients do not want you to know who is giving to whom and the present scheme make this difficult. Go figure.

Write your representatives and senators and demand that next year they rectify this situation and pass HB2929.

Click here to see what the Belz family gave to statewide candidates in 2006

Click here to see who contributed to Ophelia Ford in 2005

Click here to see who gave to Mayor Herenton from 2003 to 2005 from the difficult to obtain records at the Shelby County Election Commission

Click here to see who gave to Ricky Peete for a few years also from the difficult to obtain Shelby County Election Commission records

Click here to see more than $5 million dollars in PAC contributions during 2006. The list comes from the state electronic data base